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E46 (1999 - 2006) The fourth generation 3 Series (E46 chassis) was introduced in 1999 and set the standard for engineering and performance during it's years of production including being named to Car & Driver's 10 best list every one of those years! ! -- View the E46 Wiki

Hi i have a bmw 323i sedan year 2000 and the front wheels are squeaking it starts to squeak after i drive 5 or so miles and then when i brake and make turns im not sure what the problem is i was told it was the rotors so i got them changed as well as the brake pads i bought the parts from autozone after the next day of replacing new rotors and brake pads they are still squeaking i feel very embarrassed driving my car can anyone tell me how to fix this problem?

Hi i have a bmw 323i sedan year 2000 and the front wheels are squeaking it starts to squeak after i drive 5 or so miles and then when i brake and make turns im not sure what the problem is i was told it was the rotors so i got them changed as well as the brake pads i bought the parts from autozone after the next day of replacing new rotors and brake pads they are still squeaking i feel very embarrassed driving my car can anyone tell me how to fix this problem?

Brakes don't usually "squeak", they "squeal".

If it is happening when you brake and turn, it sounds like it happens when the front suspension is "loading". In that case, it is likely suspension related (springs, shocks, bushings).

It could be dry sway bar bushings which would be a cheap and easy fix (just remove and grease). THe sway bar rotates within the rubber bushing as the front of the car goes up and down which happens when you brake and turn. If they are dry, they will cause a squeak. Worth a look there first.

If that's not it, you will have to look at other suspension parts.

If you can get the front up on ramps and have someone "bounce" it, you may be able to isolate the sound.

Good luck.

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It also squeals while i drive under 25mpg and slowly goes away as i go fast i am going to take out the autozone rotors and break pads i was told that i am not suppose to use cheapafter marker products the mechanic said to use oem rotors and pads do you think that might be the problem? and my car springs or shocks are pretty bad when i push the front and rear down the car bounces a good 3-5 inches if that has anything to do with the squealing sound

It also squeals while i drive under 25mpg and slowly goes away as i go fast i am going to take out the autozone rotors and break pads i was told that i am not suppose to use cheapafter marker products the mechanic said to use oem rotors and pads do you think that might be the problem? and my car springs or shocks are pretty bad when i push the front and rear down the car bounces a good 3-5 inches if that has anything to do with the squealing sound

Hmmnn...well, if the sound stayed the same after you changed out the old pads and rotors, they are definitely not the problem. Change them if you want better quaity but don't expect that to get rid of the squeak.

Is it a constant sound or does it come and go when you are driving (below 25mph)? Is it there all the time or when you go over bumps, turn and brake?

Is it a squeal, like metal on metal or a squeak like a rusty spring?

__________________

"It is little use listening to other people as they will either be agreeing with you or saying stupid stuff" - Dogbert

I'm not a pessimist. At some point the world sh!ts on everybody. Pretending it ain't sh!t makes you an idiot, not an optimist.

it squeals very loud in an interval like a squealing siren while driving under 25mph and i noticed when i turn the steering wheel to the right it would squeal not sure on bumps but i will try tomorrow i was really thinking about getting the rotors and brake pads change to oem but if that not the problem i guess i dont need to i just want to squealing to go away and i cant tell if its rust on rust or metal on metal

it squeals very loud in an interval like a squealing siren while driving under 25mph and i noticed when i turn the steering wheel to the right it would squeal not sure on bumps but i will try tomorrow i was really thinking about getting the rotors and brake pads change to oem but if that not the problem i guess i dont need to i just want to squealing to go away and i cant tell if its rust on rust or metal on metal

Okay. Well that's a different kind of sound then.

Could be the power steering belt/pulley/tensioner or one of the other pulleys or tensioners. They're at the front of the engine behind the radiator.

Can you get it to make the sound while stationary and turning the steering wheel to the right? Have you checked the power steering fluid?

__________________

"It is little use listening to other people as they will either be agreeing with you or saying stupid stuff" - Dogbert

I'm not a pessimist. At some point the world sh!ts on everybody. Pretending it ain't sh!t makes you an idiot, not an optimist.

it starts off loud (0-25mph) and slowly goes away around 30mph and by 40mph plua it is gone and just below 3rd gear i dont think the gears have anything to do with it

If it's not affected when gears change you are likely right.

If it doesn't happen when the car is stationary and doesn't change with the revving of the engine it is not likely tendioners or pulleys. Things driven by the engine, should change in sound or behaviour as the engine revs change.

It sounds more like a bearings or brakes issue. CK to see if the dust cover is rubbing on the rotor somewhere and ck the bearings

__________________

"It is little use listening to other people as they will either be agreeing with you or saying stupid stuff" - Dogbert

I'm not a pessimist. At some point the world sh!ts on everybody. Pretending it ain't sh!t makes you an idiot, not an optimist.

I know this thread is old but my '09 335i makes the same noise. Did you ever find out what the noise was?

The main problem with gravedigging old threads is that the OP typically made a few brief posts, then disappeared off the face of the Earth....try the E90 Forum, you`re likely to get a few responses there.

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